The IIT Madras BS FPGA Design (Embedded Linux and FPGAs) Quiz 1 paper sat on 26 Oct 2025, in the September 2025 term, set QEB4: 13 questions for 34 marks in 120 minutes. Every question is below with its answer. Take it as a timed mock test to be marked, or read it through first.
The data is first stored in main memory and later transferred to the peripheralby DMA.
The write operation directly updates the peripheral’s hardware registermapped at that address.
The CPU triggers an interrupt to notify the peripheral of new data.
The value is cached and updated only after multiple writes.
Correct answer
The write operation directly updates the peripheral’s hardware registermapped at that address.
Which of the following best explains the difference between user space and kernel space?
User space has full hardware access, while kernel space uses syscalls forprotection
Both user space and kernel space run with limited privileges
User space applications run with limited privileges and must use syscalls toaccess resources, while kernel space has full access to hardware and drivers
Kernel space is only used for storing user applications, while user spacehandles drivers
Correct answer
User space applications run with limited privileges and must use syscalls toaccess resources, while kernel space has full access to hardware and drivers
Block device
Character device
Network interface
Input device
Correct answer
Block device
It represents a directory with read, write, execute permissions for theowner,and read, execute permissions for group and others
It represents a regular file with full permissions for everyone
It represents a character device file with restricted access
It represents a block device with only read permission for the owner
Correct answer
It represents a directory with read, write, execute permissions for theowner,and read, execute permissions for group and others
What is the purpose of the ELF file in the Renode setup?
To represent memory configuration.
To define the system bus topology.
It contains compiled instructions to be loaded and executed on the emulatedCPU.
To define device tree information.
Correct answer
It contains compiled instructions to be loaded and executed on the emulatedCPU.
What is the function of the root filesystem (rootfs)?
It provides essential files and binaries needed for Linux to boot.
It stores only the kernel.
It represents hardware configuration.
It is used for storing simulation logs.
Correct answer
It provides essential files and binaries needed for Linux to boot.
The 'initramfs' (initial RAM filesystem) is loaded into memory to:
Provide basic executables before disk-based root FS is available.
Initialize hardware GPIOs.
Start the emulator.
Replace the kernel image.
Correct answer
Provide basic executables before disk-based root FS is available.
To reduce the number of handshaking signals.
To allow the master to issue multiple read requests before data returns,enabling pipelined and out-of-order reads.
To ensure reads are always completed sequentially.
To simplify the arbitration logic inside the slave.
Correct answer
To allow the master to issue multiple read requests before data returns,enabling pipelined and out-of-order reads.
The master failed to assert the read address signal.
The slave ignored the address handshake.
The slave accepted the read address but has not yet produced the read data.
The read response channel is permanently stalled.
Correct answer
The slave accepted the read address but has not yet produced the read data.
Which of the following is true about the difference between Bare-Metal and OS-based systems?
Bare-Metal systems always use virtual memory, OS systems do not
OS systems provide multi-tasking and memory protection, Bare-Metal systemsdo not
Bare-Metal systems support device files and sysfs, OS systems do not
OS systems run a single program at a time, Bare-Metal supports multipleprocesses
Correct answer
OS systems provide multi-tasking and memory protection, Bare-Metal systemsdo not
Byte 0 and Byte 2
Byte 1 and Byte 3
Byte 0 and Byte 1
Byte 2 and Byte 3
Correct answer
Byte 0 and Byte 2
When multiple software threads may read the same status registerconcurrently.
When software monitoring tools need to detect and automatically clear errorsupon inspection.
When software must explicitly acknowledge and control flag clearing.
When multiple flags must be cleared atomically using a single write operation.
Correct answer
When software monitoring tools need to detect and automatically clear errorsupon inspection.
Correct answer: 3
